also: ごばいし
sumac gallnut; Chinese gall
A gall produced by aphids on sumac trees, used in traditional medicine and dyeing. The reading ふし is a gikun (customary reading) for 五倍子.
Sumac gallnuts, being rich in tannins, have been used since ancient times for dyeing and medicinal purposes.
Standard kanji spelling for the gallnut; reading ふし is a gikun (customary reading).
Alternate reading for 五倍子, less common than ふし.
Less common variant of 附子.
Alternate kanji spelling; also used for the gallnut.
The word refers to the gallnut formed on Rhus javanica (sumac) trees. The kanji 五倍子 literally means 'five-fold seed', possibly referring to its appearance. The reading ふし is a gikun (customary reading) not derived from the individual kanji.